These are the questions we are asked most frequently over the phone. FAQ’s are, by definition, not tailored to you or your communication. Please feel free to call us at any time for a more personal service!
What does Great Communication do?
We help people and businesses communicate better. Some just want help with a single speech or article. Others ask us to train their entire team. A smaller number outsource all their communication to us.
How big is your team?
We have a small group of experienced writers and coaches based all over the UK. We tend to be 8-12 strong, with the ability to call on trusted, specialist freelancers as required.
Who are your clients?
We work with individuals commissioning us privately, and with companies around the world. Their backgrounds and subjects range from social events (dinners, parties and weddings) to conferences, fundraisers and political events. We have supported Heads of State, politicians, CEO’s, utility companies, professional service providers, small companies, Mayors, Captains and many more!
How quickly can you turn round my project?
Our team is office-based and we plan our weeks on the understanding that clients need help at short notice. We are regularly called-on to turn round work in 48 hours. This is clearly not ideal – a month’s notice is ample for any piece of work, ensuring proper time to prepare, write and rehearse. Occasionally it will take longer to book-in training days and projects involving international travel.
Is my secret safe with you?!
Absolutely! We completely understand that many of our clients don’t like to advertise the fact that they have had help from us, particularly when we have written a speech or ‘white labelled’ their communication. We can sign an NDA, but we have built the business on the assumption of complete discretion. Fortunately for us, many happy clients do share us with their closest friends and colleagues.
Why do you have two websites?
Great Communication is our core business, offering a broad range of support across the comms spectrum. Great Speechwriting is a specialist part of the business focusing solely on the spoken word.
What are your office hours?
Great Speech Writing is rarely closed. Our London office is open every weekday, but we ensure that writers are available almost every evening, weekend and during the holiday season.
Where are you based?
Our head office is in Thame, Oxfordshire. We have writers based in London, Liverpool, the Lake District, Kent and Oxford. We travel overseas and have clients in Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, India, Africa, the Middle East and across Europe.
How do you charge?
We don’t have a rate card and prefer to understand exactly what a client wants, and then prepare a bespoke quote for the project. We begin every relationship with a free consultation, be it over the phone, a meeting or reviewing a piece of work and offering observations and recommendations. If you have a budget ceiling, please let us know and we will do whatever we can to work within it in the most effective way for you.
Do you charge VAT?
Yes, all our quotes to clients within the UK include VAT. Our corporate clients tend to fund our service from their marketing and communications budget.
How old is the business?
Our founder, Lawrence Bernstein, spent many years running a brand consultancy in the City. He made a conscious decision in 2009 to take a break and focus exclusively on speech writing. Over time, the business has grown and Lawrence decided to re-develop the ‘corporate’ side of the business. Great Speechwriting and great Communication now work in tandem, sharing writers and resources.
How can I follow you on social media?
We’re on Twitter (X), You Tube and LinkedIn. We post our latest blog pieces and videos, but you can access them directly here.
